“If you look the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden.”
Frances Hodgson Burnett, Author, The Secret Garden
Surely, for those who garden, there can be nothing better than the smell and feel of fresh soil as gardeners everywhere begin to work the land in preparation for another new season. Excitement grows with the pruning and planting, watering and nourishing, and then those first buds, leaves, flowers come back to life as if by magic! But you know it takes hard work to create something remarkable.
The Secret Garden Tour will, once again, provide the opportunity to view six of these remarkable gardens within Johns Creek, along with the splendid woodland and cottage gardens of Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. This drive-yourself/walking tour takes place on Saturday, May 6th, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and there is no set order to follow. Visitors can pick and choose how they wish to tour and linger at the various gardens along the way. Enjoy a pre-purchased box lunch at Autrey Mill. Enhancing the experience will be musicians and artists scattered among the gardens, playing and painting as folks roam amongst the blooms of spring.
As you are touring, you might wonder how these various homeowners created and continue to maintain their remarkable gardens. A labor of love, two of these gardeners have provided several tips which help to yield successful results.
- Donna Heinzelmann says to use good garden soil mixed with a pre-emergent and Bio-Tone Starter when planting, which encourages deeper roots and faster growth. Each year, add organic matter or top beds with a 2 inch layer of compost. Put down a pre-emergent in the rest of the garden mid-February.
- Ingrid Jacobs suggests finding plants and flowers that you like, but fit within your gardening talents and the time you have to spend maintaining their growth and development.
Feeling inspired? Now is the perfect time to consider putting some of these tips into practice. While at it, circle May 6th on your calendar and plan to take the tour.
As the facilitator of this event, Johns Creek Beautification (JCB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to enriching the beauty and prestige of the city through landscapes, preservation, and public art. The Secret Garden Tour is a key component in accomplishing these goals. Monies raised through sponsorships and the sale of passes from prior tours, have enabled the JCB to fully fund the installation of the metal horse sculpture installed in the center of the Bell/Boles Roads Roundabout. Created by artist Eric Strauss and entitled “Entwined Strength,” this gift to the city is there for the entire community to enjoy.
Passes for the Secret Garden Tour will go on sale March 1st, accessible through the website. Just for March, there will be an early bird special of $30. April 1st and thereafter, the price will be $35.
For garden tour details, to volunteer, become a sponsor, and to learn more about JCB, please visit JohnsCreekBeautification.org
